18. Efforts at decoding the DNA sequences of the chromosome have pushed back the frontiers of genetic research. But have we stepped onto the formerly unknown area of knowledge at our own great risks?
(A) broken down the barriers
(B) narrowed down the scope
(C) broaden the range
(D) set definite limits
(E) ventured into the dangers

14. Everyone was impressed by the sagacious speaker. (A) loquacious (B) confident (C) diffident (D) eloquent (E) wise

15. Florence Nightingale is the epitome of heroism and compassion. (A) embodiment (B) spirit (C) soul (D) vision (E) disgrace

16. Internet crime has mushroomed over the past decade, from commercial hacking to cyber terrorism. (A) decreased (B) disappeared (C) subsided (D) scurried (E) multiplied .

17. Recently many major politicians were hospitalized for serious cases of illness. Doctors said that it was because irregular living habits, heavy smoking and drinking, as well as long periods of work under stress had taken the toll. (A) cost the money (B) paved the road (C) enjoyed the game (D) done the damage (E) killed the life .

19. In our age of individualism, many people prefer tailor-made products though it is often difficult to acquire them and probably not convenient for use. (A) mass-produced (B) high-priced (C) inexpensive (D) made-of-cloth (E) specially designed

20. Though promising to reform the out-of-date mentality the bureaucracy has had in managing the state apparatus, the new ruling party soon finds that its reform faces stronger opposition than expected. The government then is forced to fall back on the old ineffective mechanism in doing its job. (A) criticize viciously (B) completely replace (C) rely unwillingly on (D) accept enthusiastically (E) treat contemptuously

21. He was praised for his fairness and high           . (A) inferiority (B) integration (C) integrity (D) intimacy (E) ingenuity

22. The speaker spent a lot of time on one simple question. His explanation was so            that we hardly see the point clearly. (A) coherent (B) crucial (C) vicious (D) various (E) lengthy

23. Dreams are            in and of themselves, but, when combined with other data, they can tell us much about the dreamer. (A) startling (B) uninformative (C) uncontrollable (D) unregulated (E) harmless

24. The discovery of new medicine is an important            in the fight against cancer. (A) commitment (B) demonstration (C) outbreak (D) breakthrough (E) interpretation